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We hit the dragstrip in an Acura NSX

Launch control, 3 electric motors and processor power that rivals NORAD, yet the soul of the purebred original remains

June 6, 2017

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Flick the Dynamic Mode dial to the right until you reach “track.” Left foot on the brake, firm, right on the throttle. Revs pop up to 1,500 for a moment, then jump again to 2,300 rpm. Release the brake and immediately -- immediately -- millions of bits of data hone in on one simple task: devastatingly effective forward motion. The Acura NSX first hops like a jackrabbit. Then you feel compression, your body to the seat and rear wheels to the pavement. Immense acceleration quickly follows and remains as long as your right foot does.

According to Honda engineer Dan Hassler, the turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 and its 500 horses play no role in the first few moments of the launch -- it’s all-electric for the first foot or so until the nine-speed dual-clutch transmission engages the V6. This is not a hybrid for fuel economy, but rather for torque fill. Two electric motors provide thrust to the front wheels, and a third assists the internal combustion engine in back. All three produce their peak torque at essentially 0 rpm and provide plenty of muscle until the midmounted gasoline burner wakes up.

There’s no time lost at launch, just a quick crescendo to joyous speed. Separate systems work like an orchestra performing Beethoven’s 5th-- the V6 plays the cannons at the end. At 7,500 rpm, the DCT quickly grabs a gear, then another and another. 11.1 seconds later, the speedometer reads 122 mph and one-quarter of a mile is gone. It’s exhilarating, addictive and, turns out, plenty durable. I did it three times in the same car, as did several before me and many after. Myriad cooling systems and wet-clutch packs make epic acceleration all-day repeatable, which reminds you it’s a Honda.

No, it’s not the equal of the lithe, revolutionary original, but the 2017 Acura NSX can stand tall as a worthy successor living in today’s complicated, digital world.

MSRP

$156,000

MPG

21 / 22

Robin Warner
- Robin Warner is Editorial Manager at Autoweek. He once tried and failed to become a professional race car driver, but succeeded in learning about debt management and having a story to tell. A former engineer, Warner loves cars for their technology and capability.
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